Do you have a boss or know a country leader or political aspirant who repeatedly shows disregard for and violate the rights of others? Does he/she have an inflated and arrogant self-appeal. Relationship difficulties as evidenced by multiple divorces? A failure to honor promises? These guys lack remorse when they hurt others. They usually just find excuses for treating others badly. In short they lack a conscience.
These are psychopaths. ‘Aren’t psychopaths dirty looking murderers’ you ask. Yes, the ones with low intelligence are ‘jail-birds’ but the smart ones, no, they are not in jail, they are amongst the world leaders, CEOs and successful business leaders and politicians.
Psychopaths with a high IQ have the ability to put some of these terrible traits to good use for themselves in our world.
The ability to manipulate on a one on one conversation, tell a lie without blinking are some tools they put to use at our work places and these make them rise to top positions in no time.
Their lack of fear may be mistaken for confidence by the superiors but make no mistake, these guys are deceitful and skilled at tricking others for personal pleasure or profit. They pursue what they want with a lot of aggression and would not hesitate to stab in the back when they need something.
They also have a reckless disregard for their safety or the safety of others, they just don’t care.
Psychopaths will lick your boots when they want something from you, they would appear as the kindest, friendliest people in the world but once they get what they want, they are quick to dump you without blinking.
They show little or no remorse for their harmful actions and cannot tolerate boredom. They have a hostile attitude generally but can switch to being charming, charismatic and warm if they need something from you. They can be impulsive.
Psychopathy is three times more common in males than females and it usually begins in late childhood and continues into adulthood.
Psychopaths tend to have other psychiatric illnesses like depression and anxiety. These comorbid disorders need to be addressed. Psychotherapy is of some value and so is food rich in omega-6 and omega-3 FA. There is a need to help with substance abuse problems if there is one. Invariably they may need to be on medication.
Psychopathy is a chronic disorder but it gets better after the fourth decade. Many people with this problem, however, die early due to risky behaviours like fights, accidents, and drug overdose.
I once asked a friend ‘why is it that it is a dog that lead sheep in and out of their pen? Why not another sheep I asked?’ He said ‘maybe that is why it is psychopaths that rule nations and companies, they are not like the rest of us either’.
For those in leadership, know your followers well, select from them, if you are recruiting from outside, the charm presented at an interview may actually be a negative clue but it is left to YOU to do the math. Good luck.
